The authors also noted that three smaller studies “compared massage to either usual outpatient rehabilitation or relaxation and did not observe significant between-group differences for pain and/or function.

Massage & Neck Pain

The authors looked at four randomized, controlled trials that examined massage’s ability to relieve symptoms associated with chronic neck pain.

One study, “Randomized trial of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain,” conducted in 2009, “reported a dose-response relationship between the number and duration of massage sessions per week and improvement in the NDI score and neck pain intensity,” the authors noted.

“The findings indicated that 60 minutes of massage 2 to 3 times per week was significantly better than either 30 or 60 minutes of massage once per week after the 4 weeks of treatment,” they reported.

A follow-up to the study randomized participants to one additional massage therapy session per week for six more weeks.

“At the end of treatment, those randomized to the additional sessions had significantly improved pain and function vs those who did not receive the additional sessions; the difference between groups was no longer significant after 14 weeks of follow-up,” the authors stated.

Massage & Osteoarthritis

The authors found two randomized, controlled clinical trials that examined the efficacy of Swedish massage for symptoms related to osteoarthritis of the knee.

After completing eight weeks of massage, subjects in the first study’s massage group “had significant improvement vs those randomized to usual care in the [Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)] total score as well as in each of the WOMAC subscale scores (pain, function, and joint stiffness),” the authors wrote.

In the other study, subjects “were randomized to one of five groups for 8 weeks: (1) usual care, (2) 240 minutes of massage over [eight] weeks, (3) 360 minutes of massage, (4) 480 minutes of massage, and (5) 600 minutes of massage.

“Only individuals receiving at least 480 minutes of massage therapy (groups 4 and 5) had substantial improvement in the WOMAC total score and the WOMAC pain subscale score vs the usual care group,” the authors wrote. “Across the [two] trials, only one adverse event, discomfort at the knee in one participant, was noted.”

Massage & Severe Headache

“One small study that compared myofascial trigger point massage, a sham device, and wait list found that massage reduced headache frequency but did not significantly reduce the intensity or duration of headaches,” the authors wrote.

Current Issue

Articles include:
– Running on an Earth-Friendly Practice is More Important than Ever
– Scrape, Tape and Move for Whole-Body Health
– Self-Defense Skills for Dangerous Situations
– Guide to Natural and Organic Products» View Current Issue

Insurance Plus is included as a member benefit of Protection Plan Association, Inc., an association for health, wellness and beauty professionals and students created for the purpose of providing valuable and important benefits and services to its members. Insurance Plus is not an insurer.